Passive heat and mass transfer system

ABSTRACT

A heat and mass transfer system configured to be a passive system using gravitational force to form a thin liquid film flow on an outer surface of a flow distribution head and downstream conduit member to subject the thin liquid film to heat transfer mediums. The at least partially spherical flow distribution head creates a uniform thin flow of liquid on the outer surface increasing the efficiency of the heat and mass transfer system. The heat and mass transfer system may include a heat transfer medium supply system in fluid communication with internal aspects of the downstream conduit such that a heat transfer medium flows within the downstream conduit while the liquid film flows on the outer surface of the downstream conduit. Rather than conventional sheet flow on inner surfaces of a conduit, the flow distribution head enables sheet flow to be formed on an outside surface of a component.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/113,656, filed Aug. 27, 2018, which claims priority to U.S.Continuation patent application Ser. No. 15/174,381, filed Jun. 6, 2016,which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.62/171,505, filed Jun. 5, 2015, the entirety of which is incorporatedherein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed generally to heat and mass transfer systems,and more particularly to thin sheet flow heat transfer systemsconfigured to be passive systems using gravitational flow resulting froma unique flow distribution configuration.

BACKGROUND

Conventional evaporators are typically formed from a plurality of tubescontained within a shell. Feed liquid is passed within the evaporatortubes, and hot gases or liquids are passed on the outside of theevaporator tubes to heat the tubes. Conventional evaporator tubes areconfigured such that a feed liquid to be heated forms a liquid film oninner surfaces of a conduit. The outer surfaces of the conduit istypically surrounded with steam.

There exist numerous types of evaporators. For example, there existconventional falling film evaporators, shown by way of example and notlimitation athttp://www.gea.com/olobalien/products/falling-film-evaporator.jsp,rising film evaporators, shown by way of example and not limitation athttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rising_film_evaporator, wiped filmevaporators shown by way of example and not limitation athttp://lcicorp.com/thin_film_evaporators/thin_film_wiped_film_evaporator/,and other thin film heat and mass transfer devices. These devices useflow geometries that position process feed fluids within vertical tubes(or a cylinder) and include heating systems, which typically uses steam,positioned on the outside of the tubes and within an outer housing,which is referred to as a shell. In a falling film evaporator, a thinliquid film flows along the inside wall of the vertical tubes from topto bottom and in the case of a rising film evaporator, the liquid filmis pushed upwards from the bottom to top.

These systems experience a number of limitations. In particular, vaporis formed on the inside of the tubes leaving concentrate at the outletof the conduit. Formation of the vapor within the tube increases thepressure within the tube, which increases the boiling point. Inaddition, conventional systems experience scale formation and buildup onthe interior surfaces of the tubes, which also negatively affects heattransfer efficiency. Thus, a need exists for a more efficient heat andmass transfer system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A heat and mass transfer system configured to be a passive system usinggravitational force to form a thin liquid film flow on an outer surfaceof a flow distribution head and downstream conduit member to subject thethin liquid film to heat transfer mediums or mass transfer mediums, or acombination of both, is disclosed. As such, the feed liquid flows on theoutside of a flow distribution head and downstream conduit member whilea heat transfer medium flows on an inside of the downstream conduit.This configuration creates more efficient evaporation rates. Inparticular, in embodiments where the heat transfer medium passing withinthe downstream conduit is steam, the steam is passed within thedownstream conduit. The steam condenses and forms condensate droplets,which can form a film, on the inner surfaces of the downstream conduit,but the incoming steam forces the condensate droplets out of thedownstream conduit, thereby preventing the condensate droplets fromremaining on the inner surfaces and acting as an insulator. Thus,configuring the heat transfer medium, such as steam, to be passedthrough internal aspects of the downstream conduits enhances theefficiency of the heat and mass transfer system in comparison toconventional systems.

The flow distribution head may be formed from any shape capable ofcreating a liquid distribution on an outer surface of the flowdistribution head. The flow distribution head forms uniform distributionof a liquid film along the downstream conduit, thereby creating a basisfor heat and mass transfer to occur within the liquid substrate. In atleast one embodiment, the flow distribution head may be at leastpartially spherical. In other embodiments, the flow distribution headmay be any nonlinear surface, such as, but not limited to, a taperedsurface. The flow distribution head may create a uniform thin flow ofliquid on the outer surface increasing the efficiency of the heat andmass transfer system. Rather than sheet flow on inner surfaces of aconduit, as done conventionally, the flow distribution head enablessheet flow to be formed on an outside surface of, such as, but notlimited to, a tube. Most noteworthy, the flow distribution head enablesthe sheet flow to be formed in a uniform manner on the outer surface onthe flow distribution head and continuing on to a surface attached tothe flow distribution head. The thickness of the film of feed liquidforming the sheet flow may be between about 5 microns and about 5millimeters (mm), and in waste oil applications, may be have a largerthickness. The heat and mass transfer system may include one or moreheat transfer medium supply systems in fluid communication with internalaspects of the downstream conduit such that at least one heat transfermedium is delivered to the downstream conduit while the liquid filmflows on the outer surface of the downstream conduit. The flow of heattransfer medium within the downstream conduit is generally co-currentflow, but in at least one embodiment, the flow of heat transfer mediummay be counter-current flow relative to the flow of liquid film on theouter surface of the downstream conduit.

In at least one embodiment, a feed liquid to be heated flows on an outersurface of a downstream conduit. As the feed liquid is heated fromwithin the downstream conduit, the liquid on the outer surface of thedownstream conduit is unrestricted to evaporate and does not impart anypressure on liquid flowing downward on the outer surface of thedownstream conduit.

An advantage of the heat and mass transfer system is that in embodimentswhere a heat transfer medium passing within the downstream conduit issteam, the steam condenses and forms condensate droplets on the innersurfaces of the downstream conduit. The incoming steam forces thecondensate droplets out of the downstream conduit, thereby preventingthe condensate droplets from remaining on the inner surfaces and actingas an insulator. Thus, configuring the heat transfer medium, such assteam, to be passed through internal aspects of the downstream conduitsenhances the efficiency of the heat and mass transfer system incomparison to conventional systems.

Another advantage of the heat and mass transfer system is that bypositioning a feed liquid on outer surfaces of the flow distributionhead and downstream conduit, the feed liquid is able to evaporate in anenvironment without additional pressure. IN particular, the feed liquiddoes not experience pressure from evaporation occurring within the shellat the same level as the pressure increase found within evaporationtubes of conventional systems. Thus, the heat and mass transfer systemis more efficient than conventional systems.

Yet another advantage of the heat and mass transfer system is that theheat and mass transfer system includes one or more flow distributionheads which enables a feed fluid to form a uniform, thin, liquid film onan outer surface of a surface, such as, but not limited to, a conduit,extending downwardly from the flow distribution head.

Another advantage of the heat and mass transfer system is that the heatand mass transfer system minimizes the temperature gradient between thefeed fluid flowing on the outer surface of the downstream conduit andwall forming the downstream conduit, thereby greatly reducing, if noteliminating, the ability of scale to form.

These and other embodiments are described in more detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part ofthe specification, illustrate embodiments of the presently disclosedinvention and, together with the description, disclose the principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic, side view of the heat and mass transfer system.

FIG. 2 is another schematic, side view of the heat and mass transfersystem.

FIG. 3 is a schematic, side view of the heat and mass transfer systemtogether with a heat and mass transfer system housing.

FIG. 4 is a schematic, side view of another embodiment of the heat andmass transfer system with an outer flow channel forming a countercurrent gas flow channel.

FIG. 5 is a schematic, side view of another embodiment of the heat andmass transfer system with a nozzle configured to spray liquid onto theflow distribution head to form a liquid film.

FIG. 6 is another schematic, side view of the heat and mass transfersystem.

FIG. 7 is a schematic, side view of another embodiment of the heat andmass transfer system with an upward flowing fluid supply system that isexposed to the heat transfer medium supply system before being formed asa liquid film on the flow distribution head.

FIG. 8 is a schematic, side view of another embodiment of the heat andmass transfer system configured for an oxidation process using UVradiation.

FIG. 9 is a schematic, side view of another embodiment of the heat andmass transfer system with a microwave system.

FIG. 10 is a schematic, side view of another embodiment of the heat andmass transfer system configured as a deaerator/steam stripper.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a portion of theheat and mass transfer system configured as a pervaporation system.

FIG. 12 is a schematic, side view of another embodiment of the heat andmass transfer system configured as condensation capture system.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view the flow distribution head of the heat andmass transfer system.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the flowdistribution head of the heat and mass transfer system.

FIG. 15 is a schematic, side view of an application of the heat and masstransfer system in which the system is configured as a multi-effectevaporation system.

FIG. 16 is a schematic, side view of an application of the heat and masstransfer system in which the system is configured as a multi-effectcrystallizer system.

FIG. 17 is a schematic, side view of a cooling unit configured for usein the multi-effect crystallizer system of FIG. 16, whereby the coolingunit uses a coolant.

FIG. 18 is a schematic, side view of a cooling unit configured for usein the multi-effect crystallizer system of FIG. 16, whereby the coolingunit uses a vacuum to cause evaporative cooling.

FIG. 19 is a schematic, side view of an alternative embodiment of theflow distribution head.

FIG. 20 is a schematic, side view of another alternative embodiment ofthe flow distribution head.

FIG. 21 is a schematic, side view of the heat and mass transfer systemconfigured to treat radioactive wastewater.

FIG. 22 is a schematic, side view of a portion of the heat and masstransfer system configured to treat radioactive wastewater.

FIG. 23 is a schematic, side view of the heat and mass transfer systemconfigured to remove a constituent from a liquid, such as, but notlimited to, carbon dioxide (CO₂) sequestration and gas-liquid masstransfer.

FIG. 24 is a schematic, side view of an evaporation module of the heatand mass transfer system configured to remove a constituent from aliquid, such as, but not limited to, carbon dioxide (CO₂) sequestration.

FIG. 25 is a schematic, side view of the heat and mass transfer systemconfigured to operate as a solvent removal system.

FIG. 26 is a schematic, side view of the heat and mass transfer systemconfigured to include a partitioned supply manifold formed from firstand second supply manifolds.

FIG. 27 is a schematic, side view of the heat and mass transfer systemconfigured to include a vapor generation chamber partitioned into firstand second vapor generation chambers.

FIG. 28 is a schematic, side view of the heat and mass transfer systemconfigured to include a fluid containment vessel partitioned into firstand second fluid containment vessels.

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional side view of a downstream conduit, whichmay be a heat transfer conduit, with an internal flow distributorpositioned within the downstream conduit and configured to increase theefficiency of the system by keeping the heat transfer medium in contactwith the wall forming the downstream conduit rather than in internalaspects of the downstream conduit.

FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional side view of a downstream conduit, whichmay be a heat transfer conduit, with an internal flow distributor, asshown in FIG. 29, with the heat transfer medium flowing in an oppositedirection through the downstream conduit.

FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional side view of a downstream conduit, whichmay be a heat transfer conduit, with an internal flow distributor, asshown in FIG. 29, and a heat transfer enhancement structure.

FIG. 32 is a schematic, side view of the heat and mass transfer systemconfigured with two or more flow distribution heads and downstreamconduits in series with one another.

FIG. 33 is a schematic, side view of the heat and mass transfer systemconfigured as an in-situ condensate recovery system.

FIG. 34 is a side view of the flow distribution head of the heat andmass transfer system.

FIG. 35 is a perspective view of flow distribution head of the heat andmass transfer system when viewed upwardly from below the fluidcontainment vessel 38.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIGS. 1-35, a heat and mass transfer system 10 configured tobe a passive system using gravitational force to form a flow of thinliquid film 12 on an outer surface 14, 24 of an flow distribution head16 and downstream conduit member 18 to subject the thin liquid film 12to heat transfer mediums 22 is disclosed. The flow distribution head 16may be formed from any shape capable of creating a liquid distributionon an outer surface 14, 24 of the flow distribution head 16. Thisconfiguration creates more efficient evaporation rates. In particular,in embodiments where the heat transfer medium passing within thedownstream conduit 18 is steam, the steam is passed within thedownstream conduit. The steam condenses and forms condensate droplets,which can form a film, on the inner surfaces of the downstream conduit18, but the incoming steam forces the condensate droplets out of thedownstream conduit 18, thereby preventing the condensate droplets fromremaining on the inner surfaces and acting as an insulator. Thus,configuring the heat transfer medium, such as steam, to be passedthrough internal aspects of the downstream conduits 18 enhances theefficiency of the heat and mass transfer system 10 in comparison toconventional systems.

In at least one embodiment, the heat and mass transfer system 10 may beconfigured to create a uniform thin film layer of liquid on a surface 18for heat transfer or mass transport, such as, but not limited to,evaporation. In at least one embodiment, the surface 18 for heattransfer or mass transport, such as, but not limited to, evaporation maybe positioned below the flow distribution head 16. The flow distributionhead 16 may be configured such that the portion, referred to as thecontact portion 15, of the flow distribution head 16 onto which a feedfluid first contacts is curved and defined by two vectors, a firstvector 17 pointing downward and a second vector 19 pointing radiallyoutward, as shown in FIG. 34. The flow distribution head 16 may furtherbe configured such that surfaces 23 within a transition portion 21 ofthe flow distribution head 16 includes a second vector 19 pointing in anopposite direction from the second vector 19 and including a firstvector pointing downward. The flow distribution head 16 may be coupledat a terminal end 25 to the downstream conduit 18.

In at least one embodiment, the flow distribution head 16 may be atleast partially spherical, as shown in FIG. 35. In other embodiments,the flow distribution head 16 may be any nonlinear surface, such as, butnot limited to, a tapered surface, a curved surface, and the like. Theflow distribution head 16 may create a uniform thin flow of liquid 12 onthe outer surface 14 increasing the efficiency of the heat and masstransfer system 10. Rather than sheet flow on inner surfaces of aconduit, as done conventionally, the flow distribution head 16 enablessheet flow to be formed on an outside surface 14, 24, of a component 18,such as, but not limited to, a conduit, which may be, but is not limitedto being, a tube. Most noteworthy, the flow distribution head 16 enablesthe sheet flow to be formed in a uniform manner on the outer surface 14on the flow distribution head 16 and continuing on to a surface 24attached to the flow distribution head 16.

The heat and mass transfer system 10 may include one or more heattransfer medium supply systems 20 in fluid communication with thedownstream conduit 18 such that at least one heat transfer medium 22 isdelivered to the downstream conduit 18 while the liquid film 12 flows onthe outer surface 24 of the downstream conduit 18. During use, thedownstream conduit 18 may maximize energy transfer from heat transferfluids, such as, but not limited to, steam. The heat and mass transfersystem 10 may include uniquely designed flow components that form auniform distribution of the liquid film thereby creating a hydrodynamicenvironment suitable for efficient heat and mass transfer operations.The heat and mass transfer system 10 may include a number of salientfeatures, including, but not limited to, a unique liquid distributionfeature, specifically the flow distribution head 16, a liquid film 12 onouter surfaces 14, 24 of flow distribution head 16 and downstreamconduit 18, a combination of laminar and turbulent flow of liquidcreated due to the sheet thickness and surface waves on the liquid film,no moving parts, corrosion resistant, maximizing energy transfer fromsteam, scaling prevention by design, modular configuration, thermalperformance expected to be in excess of 90 percent, high surface areadensity—m²/m³ such as, but not limited to, 1,200 m²/m³, active surfacewithout welded joints and easy servicability.

In at least one embodiment, the heat and mass transfer system 10 mayinclude one or more flow distribution heads 16 having an at leastpartially spherical outer surface 16, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. Theat least partially spherical outer surface 14 of the flow distributionhead 16 may be profiled. The profiled outer surface 14 of the flowdistribution head 16 may be profiled such that the surface is roughened,such as via sandblasting or other appropriate means. The profiled outersurface 14 may form a uniform thin flow of liquid film 12 onto the atleast partially spherical outer surface 14 of the flow distribution head16. Without the profiled outer surface 14, it is likely that anonuniform flow would result. In other embodiments, the flowdistribution head 16 is used without the outer surface 14 beingprofiled. The flow distribution head 16 may be formed from anyappropriate materials, such as, but not limited to, stainless steel,carbon steel, copper nickel alloy, plastic PTFE and quartz (glass) andceramic.

The heat and mass transfer system 10, as shown in FIGS. 1-13, mayinclude one or more downstream conduits 18 that may extend downstreamfrom the flow distribution head 16. The downstream conduits 18 may bepositioned underneath the flow distribution head 16 such that gravitypulls the liquid from the flow distribution head 16 and onto thedownstream conduit 18. As such, energy need not be expended to move theliquid from the flow distribution head 16 to the downstream conduit 18.Rather, the heat and mass transfer system 10 is configured as a passivesystem in which gravity pulls feed fluid from a fluid supply system 26onto the flow distribution head 16 and further onto the downstreamconduit 18.

The downstream conduit 18 may have an outer surface 24 with a width thatis narrower than a widest width measurement of the flow distributionhead 16, as shown in FIG. 34. In at least one embodiment, the downstreamconduit 18 may be, but is not limited to being, a tube. In otherembodiments, the downstream conduit 18 may have a cross-section with ashape, including, but not limited to, oval, elliptical, rectangle,square, or any other polygon. The downstream conduit 18 may be formedfrom any appropriate materials, such as, but not limited to, stainlesssteel, carbon steel, copper nickel alloy, plastic PTFE and quartz(glass) and ceramic. In at least one embodiment, the inner or outersurfaces 68, 24, or both, of the downstream conduit 18 (and possibly theflow distribution head 16) may be coated with a catalyst, such as, butnot limited to TiO₂. In such configuration, the heat and mass transfersystem 10 can do not only heat transfer but also chemical reactions forcertain applications. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, thedownstream conduit 18 may include vanes 96 for creating turbulence indownstream flow pattern.

The heat and mass transfer system 10 may include one or more heattransfer medium supply systems 20 in fluid communication with thedownstream conduit 18 such that one or more heat transfer mediums 22 isdelivered to the downstream conduit 18 while the liquid film 12 flows onthe outer surface 24 of the downstream conduit 18. The heat transfermedium supply system 20 may include one or more conduits 28 extendinginto the flow distribution head 16 having an at least partiallyspherical outer surface 14. The conduit 28 of the heat transfer mediumsupply system 20 may extend into the flow distribution head 16 having anat least partially spherical outer surface 14 at a top 30 of the flowdistribution head 16. The heat transfer medium 22 used in the heattransfer medium supply system 20 may be, but is not limited to being,air, such as hot or cold air, steam, water, such as hot or cold water,microwaves, radio frequency (RF) waves and ultraviolet radiation (UV)waves. The hot air or cold air may be defined based upon the temperatureof the liquid film 12 that flows on the outer surface 24 of thedownstream conduit 18. Hot air has a higher temperature than the liquidfilm 12 that flows on the outer surface 24 of the downstream conduit 18,and cold air has a lower temperature than the liquid film 12 that flowson the outer surface 24 of the downstream conduit 18. Similarly, hotwater has a higher temperature than the liquid film 12 that flows on theouter surface 24 of the downstream conduit 18, and cold water has alower temperature than the liquid film 12 that flows on the outersurface 24 of the downstream conduit 18.

The heat and mass transfer system 10 may include one or more fluidsupply systems 26 configured to release a liquid film 12 onto the atleast partially spherical outer surface 14 such that the liquid film 12flows on the at least partially spherical outer surface 14 and onto theat least one downstream conduit 18. In at least one embodiment, thefluid supply system 26 may include one or more fluid containmentsurfaces 32 having an annular shaped outlet 34 defined in part by the atleast one conduit 28 of the heat transfer medium supply system 20extending through the outlet 34. An outer diameter 36 of the annularshaped outlet 34 may be is less than the widest width measurement of theflow distribution head 16. The fluid supply system 26 may include one ormore fluid containment vessels 38 for containing a supply fluid beforebeing used to form a film 12 on the flow distribution head 16. In atleast one embodiment, the fluid containment vessel 38 may be positionedabove the flow distribution head 16 of the heat and mass transfer system10. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the fluid supply system26 may include one or more nozzles 94 for spraying a liquid onto theflow distribution head 16 to form the liquid film 12.

In at least one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1-6, 8-10 and 12-14, theheat and mass transfer system 10 may include a plurality of flowdistribution heads 16 having an at least partially spherical outersurface 14. The plurality of flow distribution heads 16 may be spacedfrom each other such that the flow distribution heads 16 or the fluidfilms 12 on the outer surface 14 of the flow distribution heads 16 donot contact each other. The heat transfer medium supply system 20 mayinclude one or more conduits 28 extending into each one of the pluralityof flow distribution heads 16 having an at least partially sphericalouter surface 14. The heat transfer medium supply system 20 may includea supply manifold 40, as shown in FIGS. 1-4, 8 and 9, in communicationeach of a plurality conduits 28 extending to the flow distribution heads16. The heat transfer medium supply system 20 may include an exhaustmanifold 42, as shown in FIGS. 1-6, 8 and 9, in communication with eachof a plurality of downstream conduits 18 extending downstream from eachof the plurality of flow distribution heads 16.

The heat and mass transfer system 10 may include one or more fluidcapture systems 44, as shown in FIGS. 1-4, 8 and 9, configured tocapture the used liquid film 12 after the liquid film 12 has flowed overthe flow distribution head 16 and the downstream conduit 18 extendingdownstream from the flow distribution head 16. The fluid capture system44 may be formed from any appropriate size and shape, and, in at leastone embodiment, may be a vessel.

In at least one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the heat and masstransfer system 10 may include a heat and mass transfer system housing46 configured to contain the flow distribution head 16, the downstreamconduit 18, the fluid supply system 26 and the heat transfer mediumsupply system 20. The heat and mass transfer system housing 46 may haveany appropriate configuration, such as, but not limited to, cylindrical,rectangular and the like. In at least one embodiment, the heat and masstransfer system housing 46 may be formed from a conventional 40 footlong shipping container. In this exemplary embodiment, the shippingcontainer may house subhousings 48.

In at least one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the heat and masstransfer system 10 may include an outer flow channel 50 configured toform a channel 50 around the outer surface 24 of the downstream conduit18. The outer flow channel 50 may be configured to flow fluid thatcontacts the liquid film 12 on the outer surface 24 of the downstreamconduit 18. The outer flow channel 50 may form a counter current gasflow channel 52 with an outlet 54 closer to the flow distribution head16 than an inlet 56, as shown in FIG. 4. In another embodiment, theouter flow channel 50 may be configured with an inlet 56 closer to theflow distribution head 16 than an outlet 54. In at least one embodimentin which the downstream conduit 18 may be a cylindrical tube the outerflow channel 50 may be concentric with the downstream conduit 18.

The heat and mass transfer system 10 may include a self-cleaning system58 configured to clean biomaterials from the outer surface 24 of thedownstream conduit 18. The self-cleaning system 58 may include aplurality of holes 60 in the downstream conduit 18. The holes 60 may besized such that substantially no fluid passes from inside the downstreamconduit 18 due to surface tension except during periodic cleaningprocesses when the heat transfer medium 22 is pressured from inside thedownstream conduit 18 through the plurality of holes 60 in thedownstream conduit 18 to dislodge biomaterials on the outer surface 24of the downstream conduit 18. As such, there is substantially noentrainment of liquid. The self-cleaning system 58 may be an in situsystem that periodically shoots a gas, such as, but not limited to, airto clean biomats that form on the outer surface 24 of the downstreamconduit 18 to prevent reductions in heat transfer and other problemscaused by the biomats.

The heat and mass transfer system 10 may also include a condensationcapture system 62, as shown in FIG. 12, formed from one or morecondensation capture conduits 64 positioned within the downstreamconduit 18 extending downstream from the flow distribution head 16. Inat least one embodiment with the condensation capture system 62, steammay flow between an outer surface 66 of the condensation capture conduit64 and an inner surface 68 of the downstream conduit 18 extendingdownstream from the flow distribution head 16, and internal aspects 70of the condensation capture conduit 64 may be a dead space. Condensationmay form on an inner surface 68 of the wall forming the condensationcapture conduit 64. At least a portion of the liquid film 12 flowing onthe outside surface 72 of the downstream conduit 18 may evaporate. Theliquid film 12 is highly efficient because the film 12 creates a smallpathway because the film 12 is thin.

In alternative embodiments of the heat and mass transfer system 10, asshown in FIG. 8, the downstream conduit 18 extending downstream from theflow distribution head 16 may be formed from quartz, such as, but notlimited to a quartz tube, and coated with a catalyst, such as, but notlimited to, titanium dioxide, titanium dioxide mesh or other catalyst.One or more ultraviolet (UV) lamps 90 or UV emitting light emittingdiodes (LED) may be positioned within the quartz tubes 18. Because ofthe small thickness of the liquid film 12, it is expected that fluidswith high turbidity can be effectively processed with UV. In analternative embodiment, ultraviolet may be applied to a catalyst, suchas, but not limited to, titanium dioxide.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the downstream conduit 18extending downstream from the flow distribution head 16 may be formedfrom PTFE, and microwave waveguides 92 may be positioned within thedownstream conduit 18 for selective applications. The downstream conduit18 may be a device configured to emit field effects, such as, but notlimited to, microwaves from a tunable microwave reactor or ultravioletradiation (UV). The heat and mass transfer system 10 may be configuredto be fine tuned microwave system to influence chemical reactions. Asshown in FIG. 9, microwaves are generated by microwave waveguides 92positioned within the downstream conduit 18. The microwaves mayeffectively penetrate the liquid film 12 because of the small thicknessof the liquid film 12.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the fluid supply system 26may be formed from one or more fluid supply conduits 74 positionedwithin the downstream conduit 18 and configured to supply fluid to asupply fluid pool 76 on an upper side of the flow distribution head 16.The heat transfer medium supply system 20 may be formed from one or moreheat transfer medium supply conduits 28 that extend around the fluidsupply conduit 74 and inside of the downstream conduit 18, whereby theheat transfer medium supply conduit 28 terminates short of a wall 78forming the supply fluid pool 76 to form an outlet 80 between a firstoutward bound leg 82 of the heat transfer medium supply system 20 and asecond inward bound leg 84 of the heat transfer medium supply system 20.The second inward bound leg 84 may be positioned radially outward of thefirst outward bound leg 82.

In yet another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the heat and masstransfer system 10 may be configured to be a pervaporation system. Thepervaporation system may be used to dehydrate organics. In at least oneembodiment, the pervaporation system may include one or more flowdistribution heads 16 having an at least partially spherical innersurface 14, whereby the flow distribution head 16 is hollow andconfigured to develop a liquid film 12 on an inner surface 85 of theflow distribution head 16. The heat and mass transfer system 10 mayinclude one or more downstream conduits 18 extending downstream from theflow distribution head 18, whereby the downstream conduit 18 has aninner surface 68 with a width that is narrower than a widest widthmeasurement of the inner surface 85 of the flow distribution head 16.The downstream conduit 18 may be hollow and may be formed from amembrane 88 with an active inner surface. The heat and mass transfersystem 10 may include one or more fluid supply systems 26 configured torelease a liquid film 12 onto the at least partially spherical innersurface 85 such that the liquid film 12 flows on the at least partiallyspherical inner surface 85 and onto the membrane 88 forming thedownstream conduit 18. The heat and mass transfer system 10 may includeone or more vacuum systems 87 configured to surround the downstreamconduit 18 extending downstream from the flow distribution head 16 topull fluid through the membrane 88 forming the downstream conduit 18.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, the heat and mass transfersystem 10 may be configured to be a multi-effect evaporation system 100.The multi-effect evaporation system 100 may be configured such that twoor more units 102 may be coupled together to deliver multi effectevaporation capabilities. A unit 102 may be defined as including, butnot limited to, one or more of the following, a flow distribution head16, a downstream conduit 18 extending downstream from the flowdistribution head 16, and a heat transfer medium supply system 20 influid communication with the downstream conduit 18 such that one or moreheat transfer mediums 22 is delivered to the downstream conduit 18 whilethe liquid film 12 flows on the outer surface 24 of the downstreamconduit 18. Multi-effect evaporation may be used to achieve higherprocess and energy efficiencies not just for evaporation duties but alsoduring crystallization operations such as crystallizations of calciumchloride and sodium chloride salts from various feed stocks includingthe brine generated from oil and gas production processes such asproduced and flow back waters.

As shown in FIG. 15, the multi-effect evaporation system 100 may beformed from two or more units 102, and in at least one embodiment, maybe formed from three units 102 to achieve the benefits of multi-effectevaporation. The multi-effect evaporation system 100 is unique becausethe multi-effect evaporation system 100 does not require an externalheat exchanger to pre-heat the feed liquid. Instead, the multi-effectevaporation system 100 uses vapor from the previous stage to heat thefeed liquid. As such, the supply manifold 40 for the heat transfermedium supply system 20 and the fluid containment vessel 38 function, inpart, as an integral heat exchanger in the multi-effect evaporationsystem 100 and provides a surface area where both heat transfer andcrystallization process can occur simultaneously inside the crystallizervessel. In this configuration, each unit 102 moving downstream willoperate at a lower pressure. For example, a first vapor generationchamber 104 formed in part by a first shell 105 in a first unit 106 mayoperate at an operating pressure of P1, which may be greater than anoperating pressure, P2, of a second vapor generation chamber 108 formedin part by a second shell 109 in a second unit 110. A second vaporgeneration chamber 108 in the second unit 110 may operate at anoperating pressure of P2, which may be greater than an operatingpressure, P3, of a third vapor generation chamber 112 formed in part bya third shell 113 in a third unit 114. In at least one embodiment, thepressure of P1 in the first unit 102 may be equal to atmosphericpressure, and the pressures P2 and P3 in the second and third vaporgeneration chambers 104, 108 of the second and third units 110, 114,respectively may be under vacuum. For example, P1>P2>P3; P1=Atmosphericpressure, P2=100 Torr, and P3=50 Torr. The vacuums may be created viaone or more pumps or other appropriate devices.

The first, second and third units 106, 110, 114 may be configured aspreviously set forth. Steam may be supplied to a supply manifold 40 forthe heat transfer medium supply system 20 of the first unit 106. Thesupply manifold 40 may be in fluid communication with the downstreamconduit 18 and the fluid capture system 44. A fluid supply system 26 mayinclude one or more fluid containment vessels 38 for containing a supplyfluid before being used to form a film 12 on the flow distribution head16. The downstream conduit 18 may pass into an exhaust manifold 42 suchthat fluid forming a film 12 on the outer surface 24 of the downstreamconduit 18 may be collected in the exhaust manifold 42.

During use, steam may be provided to the supply manifold 40 for the heattransfer medium supply system 20 of the first unit 106. A feed fluid maybe provided as feed to the fluid containment vessel 38. As the feedfluid passes onto the flow distribution heads 16 forming thin, fluidfilms, such as, but not limited to, uniform, thin fluid films, the fluidfilms flow down the outer surfaces 24 of the downstream conduits 18 viagravity and collect in the exhaust manifold 42. The feed fluid flowingon the outer surfaces 24 of the downstream conduits 18 is heated by thesteam passing through interior aspects of the downstream conduit 18, anda portion of the fluid becomes vapor (under atmospheric pressure) ispassed to the supply manifold 40 of the second unit 110 and into thedownstream conduits 18 to form a heating component within the secondunit 110. Heated fluid collected in the exhaust manifold 42 is passed assupply fluid to the fluid supply system 26 of the second unit 110. Dueto the uniqueness of the design, the vapor from the first unit 106enters the second vapor generation chamber 108 of the second unit 1120within the downstream conduits 18 and flows down through the downstreamconduits 18 (which may be heating tubes), whereby the vapor relievesheat to the process fluid flowing along the outer surface 24 of thedownstream conduits 18. The vapor after relieving its heat exits thesecond unit 110 in a liquid form.

The shell side of the second unit 110, which is the side of the system100 contained within the second shell 109 where the process fluid (feedliquid) flows along the outer surfaces 24 of the downstream conduits 18,which may be, but are not limited to being tubes, from top to bottom bygravity, is maintained under vacuum. The level of vacuum is maintainedat such a level that at the temperature of the heating vapor flowinginside the heated downstream conduits 18, the feed liquid running downthe outer surfaces 24 of the heated downstream conduits 18 evaporates.

The process described in relation to the first and second units 106, 110is generally replicated in connection with the relationship between thesecond and third units 110, 114. Vapor generated in the second vaporgeneration chamber 108 may enter the heating side of the third unit 114,and in particular, may be passed into the supply manifold 40 of thethird unit 114 and into the downstream conduits 18 to form a heatingcomponent within the second unit 110. The vapor within the downstreamconduits 18 in the third unit 114 provides the heating source forfurther evaporation to take place in the third unit 114. Film fluid onthe outer surfaces 24 of the downstream conduits 18 that does not turnto vapor in the first, second and third vapor generation chambers 104,108 and 112 collects as a liquid in the exhaust manifolds 42, whichfunction as steam traps. The reject liquid, which concentrate from eachunit, 106, 110, 114 is used as the feed supply for subsequent units 102.The concentrate entering each unit 102 is hot and therefore requiresvery little or negligible heating in order to go through the evaporationprocess. This configuration and geometry of the multi-effect evaporationsystem 100 allows the operation to be extremely energy efficient.

As shown in FIG. 16, the heat and mass transfer system 10 may beconfigured as a multi-effect crystallizer system 118 to influence acrystallization process in a controlled manner. The multi-effectcrystallizer system 118 may create a supersaturated solution and relievethe supersaturated solution in a controlled manner thereby influencingthe crystal growth, crystal size and size distribution of the crystals(salts). The multi-effect crystallizer system 118 may be formed from afirst unit 120 configured similarly to the first unit 106 shown in themulti-effect evaporation system 100 in FIG. 15 and a second unit 122configured similarly to the second unit 110 shown in the multi-effectevaporation system 100 in FIG. 15. In at least one embodiment, the firstand second units 120, 122 may include the same components shown in thefirst and second units 106, 110 of the multi-effect evaporation system100 in FIG. 15.

The multi-effect crystallizer system 118 may also include a third unit124 configured to function as a cooler, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18. InFIG. 17, the cooling unit 124 functions with the use of a coolant. Asshown in other figures of the heat and mass transfer system 10, the feedfluid, which may be, but is not limited to being, a supersaturatedfluid, may be provided to the fluid supply system 26, from the fluidsupply system 26 to the fluid containment vessel 38 and the fluidcontainment vessel 38 to the flow distribution heads 16 where the feedfluid is cooled. After passing over the flow distribution heads 16 andthe downstream conduits 18, the supersaturated fluid becomes crystalslurry that is exhausted from the cooling unit via conduit 152. Thecoolant may be passed through the cooling unit 124 in a counter flowdirection or a co-current flow direction. In a co-current flowdirection, the coolant is passed into the heat transfer medium supplysystem 20 at conduit 148, and more specifically to the supply manifold40, into the downstream conduits 18, collected in the exhaust manifold42, and exhausted via conduit 146. In counter flow configurations, thepassage of coolant through the cooling unit 124 is reversed, as shown inFIG. 17.

As shown in FIG. 18, the cooling unit 124 may function with a vacuum. Inparticular, the cooling unit 124 may be configured as a vapor generationchamber 154, such as the third vapor generation chamber 112 in FIG. 16.The vacuum may be generated via one or more vacuum ports 156 that may becoupled to a vacuum source, such as, but not limited to, a vacuum. Asshown in other figures of the heat and mass transfer system 10, the feedfluid, which may be, but is not limited to being, a supersaturatedfluid, may be provided to the fluid supply system 26, from the fluidsupply system 26 to the fluid containment vessel 38 and the fluidcontainment vessel 38 to the flow distribution heads 16 where the feedfluid is cooled. After passing over the flow distribution heads 16 andthe downstream conduits 18 and being cooled via the evaporation of someof the feed fluid due to the vacuum within the vapor generation chamber154, the supersaturated fluid becomes crystal slurry that is exhaustedfrom the cooling unit via conduit 152.

The heat and mass transfer system 10 configured as a multi-effectcrystallizer system 118 with multiples of heat transfer tubes, such asdownstream conduits 18, can be internally cooled while providing a highsurface area density (in excess of 1000 m²/m³), which is a significantdifferentiating factor in comparison to conventional crystallizers. Theability of the multi-effect crystallizer system 118 to cope with hotsolutions with very high total dissolved solids (TDS) content withoutscaling is significant. This ability enables the multi-effectcrystallizer system 118 to achieve a high evaporation rate to produce asaturated/supersaturated solution collected in the exhaust manifolds 42via gravity under the outer surfaces 24 of the downstream conduits 18.The saturated/supersaturated solution collected in the exhaust manifolds42 can then be cooled in a controlled manner using a unit 102 eitherunder vacuum on the shell side, such as in first, second, or third vaporgeneration chambers 104, 108, 112 or using heat transfer coolant fluidin the downstream conduits 18, or a combination of both vacuum and heattransfer coolant, which in most cases can be the process feed solutionsupplied by the heat transfer medium supply system 20 for achieving highoverall thermal efficiencies. The multi-effect crystallizer system 118is ideally configured for crystallization processes because themulti-effect evaporation system 100 can provide an energy efficientroute to produce crystals, such as, but not limited to, salts, in acontrolled manner. Salts including, but not limited to, calciumchloride, sodium chloride and magnesium chloride, can be produced usingthe multi-effect crystallizer system 118 using a variety of feedstock inthe heat transfer medium supply system 20 such as, but not limited to,industrial waste water with salts, produced or flow back water withsalts, and sea water.

During use, a feed fluid, such as, but not limited to, a salt fluid maybe provided at inlet 128 from feed source 130. A heating fluid, such as,but not limited to, steam, such as from a boiler may be supplied at 132to the heat transfer medium supply system 20 contained within the firstunit 120. The heating fluid may be passed into the first unit 120 viathe heat transfer medium supply system 20 and into the downstreamconduits 18. Simultaneously, the feed fluid may be provided to the fluidsupply system 26, from the fluid supply system 26 to the fluidcontainment vessel 38 and the fluid containment vessel 38 to the flowdistribution heads 16 where the feed fluid is heated. A portion of thefeed fluid that is heated evaporates and forms a vapor that is capturedwithin the shell and exhausted from an outlet into conduit 134 to bepassed to the second unit 120 as feed for the heat transfer mediumsupply system 20 and into the downstream conduits 18 in the second unit120. The remainder of the feed fluid collects in the exhaust manifold 42as a saturated fluid and is exhausted via conduit 138 and used as feedfor the second unit 122 or returned to the feed supply for the firstunit 120, or both.

In the second unit, the second vapor generation chamber 108 surroundingthe downstream conduits 18 is operated at a pressure that is less thanthe operating pressure found in the first vapor generation chamber 104of the first unit 120. In at least one embodiment, the second vaporgeneration chamber 108 surrounding the downstream conduits 18 isoperated in a vacuum. The heated vapor is received at inlet 135 fromconduit 134 and passed to the heat transfer medium supply system 20 andinto the downstream conduits 18 contained within the second unit 122.Simultaneously, the feed fluid may be provided to the fluid supplysystem 26 via conduit 138 exhausted from the first unit 120, from thefluid supply system 26 to the fluid containment vessel 38 and the fluidcontainment vessel 38 to the flow distribution heads 16 where the feedfluid is heated. A portion of the feed fluid that is heated evaporatesand forms a vapor that is captured within the shell and exhausted froman outlet into conduit 140 to be passed to a condenser 139. Theremainder of the feed fluid collects in the exhaust manifold 42 as asupersaturated fluid and is exhausted via conduit 144 and used as feedfor the cooling unit 124.

In the cooling unit 124, the supersaturated feed fluid is feed into thefluid supply system 26 via conduit 144 exhausted from the second unit122, from the fluid supply system 26 to the fluid containment vessel 38and the fluid containment vessel 38 to the flow distribution heads 16where the feed fluid is cooled. The cooling unit 124 may function basedsolely upon a vacuum created within the shell surrounding the flowdistribution heads 16 and the downstream conduits 18, as shown in FIG.18, or via cold fluid flowing through the heat transfer medium supplysystem 20, including the downstream conduits 18 contained within thecooling unit 124, as shown in FIG. 17. In at least one embodiment, acooling fluid, which is a fluid having a temperature less than atemperature of the feed fluid provided via conduit 144, may be providedvia conduit 146. The cooling fluid may flow through internal aspects ofthe downstream conduits 18 in a counter flow direction or in aco-current flow direction. The cooling fluid may reduce the temperatureof the supersaturated fluid flowing on the outer surfaces 24 of thedownstream conduits 18 when the cooling fluid is passed through aconduit defined within the downstream conduit 18. The cooling fluid maybe exhausted via conduit 148. After being cooled by flowing on theoutside of the flow distribution heads 16 and downstream conduit 18, thesupersaturated fluid forms a crystal slurry and is exhausted from thecooling unit 124 via conduit 152.

The multi-effect crystallizer system 118 may also be used extremelyeffectively to achieve zero liquid discharge (ZLD) concepts in processplants. Reject from membranes or filtration systems can be furtherprocessed in the proposed thermal systems to produce a reject with highsolids content and the resulting vapor can be condensed to liquid andreused in the process plant. This concept is particularly relevant indealing with the waste in power plants.

For crystallization processes and in situations where the liquid feedstream may have suspended solids, a more robust configuration is shownin FIGS. 19 and 20. In particular, as shown in FIG. 19, the flowdistribution head 14 may include a feed containment pool 158 having anopening 160 through which a fluid supply conduit 162 may be received.The fluid supply conduit 162 may have an outer diameter less than thesize of the opening 160 so that feed fluid is able to overflow from thefeed containment pool 158 onto the outer surface 14 of the flowdistribution head 16. A distal end 164 of the fluid supply conduit 162may terminate below the opening 160 or, in other words, within the feedcontainment pool 158. When feed fluid enters the feed containment pool158, suspended solids collect at the bottom of the feed containment pool158. As the feed containment pool 158 is filled, feed fluid flows out ofthe opening 160 and onto the outer surface 14 of the flow distributionhead 16. As such, the suspended solids do not clog, inhibit, prevent orrestrain the feed fluid from flowing out of the opening 160 and onto theouter surface 14 of the flow distribution head 16. In at least oneembodiment, the feed containment pool 158 may be generally spherical,such as having cup shaped internal configuration, which may createmanufacturing advantages.

FIG. 20 discloses another embodiment configured to account for fluidswith suspended solids. In particular, the flow distribution head 14,feed containment pool 158, opening 160 and fluid supply conduit 162 areas described in connection with FIG. 19. In addition, a feed fluidcontainment vessel 166 may be positioned inline in the fluid supplysystem 26 such that the feed fluid containment vessel 166 supplies fedfluid to the fluid supply conduit 162. The feed fluid containment vessel166 is also configured to enable suspended solids to settle out of thefeed fluid and collect within the feed fluid containment vessel 166 toprevent clogging and fouling of downstream components. The feed fluidcontainment vessel 166 may have any appropriate configuration enablingthe feed fluid containment vessel 166 to contain fluids. An inlet 168 ofthe fluid supply conduit 162 may be positioned above a bottom surface170, thereby enabling feed fluid to fill the feed fluid containmentvessel 166 up to the height of the inlet 168. The feed fluid will enterthe inlet 168 once the level of feed fluid in the feed fluid containmentvessel 166 is greater than the inlet 168. This configuration causessuspended solids to settle out of the feed fluid and into the feed fluidcontainment vessel 166. This configuration is also suitable for cleaningthe distributor sections, such as the fluid containment vessels 38, ofthe fluid supply systems 26.

In another application, as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the heat and masstransfer system 10 may be configured to treat radioactive wastewater. Inparticular, the heat and mass transfer system 10 may remove T₂O and D₂Ofrom a fluid, and more specifically may remove T₂O and D₂O as crystalsfrom a liquid. As shown in FIG. 21, the feed fluid may be provided tothe fluid supply system 26, from the fluid supply system 26 to the fluidcontainment vessel 38 and from the fluid containment vessel 38 to theone or more flow distribution heads 16 and the one or more downstreamconduits 18, where the feed fluid is cooled. The cooled feed fluid maybe collected in the fluid capture system 44. Coolant 22 may be providedvia the heat transfer medium supply system 20 and into the one or moredownstream conduits 18 where the coolant cools the one or moredownstream conduits 18 and feed fluid on the outer surface 24 of thedownstream conduit 18. Coolant may be exhausted through outlet 172. Theheat and mass transfer system 10 of FIG. 21 may include a coolingchamber 174 that surrounds at least a portion of the downstream conduit18. The cooling chamber 174 may be supplied with one or more coolinggases 184 via gas inlet 176 and may exhaust used cooling gases via gasoutlet 178.

Tritiated water (T₂O) and heavy water (D₂O) have freezing points, whichare higher than pure water (H₂O). Freezing point for T₂O is 3.82 degreesCelsius (° C.), D₂O is 4.5° C. and pure water is 0° C. Ice crystals ofT₂O and D₂O are denser than water at 2° C. The heat and mass transfersystem 10 uses this difference in density to separate the ice crystalsof T₂O and D₂O from pure water. Using the heat and mass transfer system10 shown in FIG. 21, radioactive contaminated wastewater can be rapidlycooled to 2° C., and the water temperature can be efficiently controlleddue to the enhanced heat transfer characteristics of the system 10. Theheat and mass transfer system 10 provides twofold cooling. Inparticular, as shown in FIG. 22, the heat and mass transfer system 10may provide cooling at the solid-liquid interface 186 on the downstreamconduit 18 and gas-liquid interface 188 on the outer surface of the feedfluid flowing down the outside of the downstream conduit 18. As such,the heat and mass transfer system 10 provides both direct and indirectfooling with precise temperature control. Cooling at the solid-liquidinterface may be provided by the flow of coolant 22 flowing counter orin the same direction inside the downstream conduit 18, which may be aheat transfer tube. Cooling at the gas-liquid interface maybe providedby a cooling gas such as liquid nitrogen flowing counter or in the samedirection on the shell side of the downstream conduit 18. Thisconfiguration of the heat and mass transfer system 10 of FIGS. 21 and 22will ensure uniform temperature of the contaminated water flowing downthe downstream conduit 18.

As the feed fluid flows via gravity along the outer surface 24 of thedownstream conduit 18, the feed fluid is rapidly cooling by the coolant,which may be, but is not limited to being, a liquid, flowing countercurrent within the downstream conduit 18. High overall heat transfercoefficient at the downstream conduit 18 maintains the temperature ofthe downstream conduit 18 within about two degrees of the temperature ofthe downstream conduit 18. In at least one embodiment, cooling gas, suchas, but not limited to nitrogen, flowing around the downstream conduit18 in the cooling chamber 174 will cool the outside film of the fallingliquid film of feed fluid on the downstream conduit 18. When thecontaminated water reaches 3.8° C., T₂O crystals and D₂O crystals willform along the length of the downstream conduit 18 and instead ofsticking to the downstream conduit 18, the T₂O crystals will remain inthe liquid film on the downstream conduit 18 due to the shear forcescreated by the surface waves of the falling film of contaminated water.When the feed fluid reaches 3° C., D₂O crystals will form along thedownstream conduit 18 and will likewise remain in the liquid film on thedownstream conduit 18 and be collected in the bottom reservoir of thefluid capture system 44. The downstream conduit 18 may be adjusted, suchas through the addition of one or more coatings, to influence thesurface tension in order to prevent scaling. Once the T₂O crystals andD₂O crystals form, the crystals will drop into the bottom reservoir ofthe fluid capture system 44 due to gravity and will settle at the bottomdue to the densities of the T₂O crystals and D₂O crystals being greaterthan water. D₂O crystals are ten times heavier than water and willsettle at the bottom. The ice crystals of T₂O and D₂O 180, 182,respectively, can be separated from water in the fluid capture system 44using a filtration system, such as a continuous filtration system.Because this process is based on sensible heat manipulation, the processis very energy efficient. An advantage of this process over evaporationis that the heat of formation of D₂O crystals is about six times lessthan the latent heat of evaporation of water. The thermal performance ofthe heat and mass transfer system 10 of FIGS. 21 and 22 is significantlygreater than conventional thermal systems.

In another application, as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, the heat and masstransfer system 10 may be configured to remove a constituent from aliquid, such as, but not limited to, carbon dioxide (CO₂) sequestrationand gas-liquid mass transfer. In particular, the heat and mass transfersystem 10 provides superior gas-liquid mass transfer characteristics forcarbon dioxide sequestration, removal of ammonia from wastewater,removal of methanol from water or aqueous fluids and other processeswhere mass transfer of a gas to and from a liquid is desired. In atleast one embodiment, we are not trying to change the temperature of afluid; instead, provide as great a surface are as possible to enable asmuch carbon dioxide (CO₂) sequestration and gas-liquid mass transfer aspossible. As shown in FIG. 23, a liquid supply system 200 may includeone or more liquid supply manifolds 202 in fluid communication with oneor more flow distribution heads 16 and the one or more downstreamconduits 18. In at least one embodiment, the heat and mass transfersystem 10 may include a plurality of flow distribution heads 16 and theone or more downstream conduits 18. In fact, in at least one embodiment,the downstream conduits 18 may have a diameter of about one quarter ofan inch and have a length of about 10 feet. The heat and mass transfersystem 10 may include thousands of the downstream conduits 18 alignedwith each other and positioned within a shell 204. The downstreamconduits 18 may be generally aligned with a longitudinal axis of theshell 204. At least one embodiment creates a very large active surfacearea on the outer surfaces 24 of the downstream conduits 18. Anincredible amount of surface area is available within a single housingwith a diameter of about six feet and a height of about 10 feet, whichis substantially smaller than conventional mass transfer systems. Theliquid supply system 200 may also include a fluid capture system 44 forcapturing fluid falling from the downstream conduits 18. In at least oneembodiment, the fluid capture system 44 may be formed from a collectionreservoir 206 positioned below the downstream conduits 18. Fluid may beexhausted from the fluid capture system 44 via one or more outlets 208.

As shown in FIG. 23, the heat and mass transfer system 10 may include asupply gas system 210 configured to provide dirty gas to the heat andmass transfer system 10 to remove one or more constituents from thedirty gas. The supply gas system 210 may include a supply gas manifold212 that receives gas through one or more inlets 214. The supply gassystem 210 may include at least one gas conduit 216 positioned radiallyoutward of one or more downstream conduits 18. In at least oneembodiment, each downstream conduit 18 may include a gas conduit 216positioned concentrically around the downstream conduit 18. The gasconduit 216 should be sized such that a void exists between an outersurface 24 of the downstream conduit 18 and an inner surface of the gasconduit 216. The gas conduit 216 may have a cylindrical cross-sectionalshape or may have another shape. Each gas conduit 216 may have an inlet218 in fluid communication with the supply gas manifold 212 and anoutlet 220 in fluid communication with a gas collection chamber 222. Inat least one embodiment, the gas collection chamber 222 may be formed,in part, by the shell 204. The supply gas manifold 212 may be positionedat a bottom end 226 of the downstream conduit 18, and the outlet 220 ofthe gas conduit 216 may terminate near the flow distribution head 16,thereby maximizing the benefit of the exposure of the dirty gas to thecleaning fluid. The gas collected in the gas collection chamber 222 maybe exhausted through one or more outlets 224. The configuration of thesupply gas system 210 shown in FIG. 23 creates a counter flow of the gasflowing within the gas conduit 216. In other embodiments, the directionof flow of the gas flowing within the gas conduit 216 may be the same asthe direction of flow of liquid on the downstream conduit 18 of theliquid supply system 200. The counter flow operation coupled with thefact that the liquid stream of the liquid in the liquid supply system200 can be continuously heated or maintained at a desired high or lowtemperature, as it flows down along the outside of the downstreamconduit 18, creates additional efficiency and productivity of the heatand mass transfer system 10 in comparison to conventional technology.The temperature of the liquid can be selected based on the solubility ofthe component which is desired to be removed, such as solubility ofammonia in water when ammonia is desired to be removed.

As shown in FIG. 24, the heat and mass transfer system 10 may include anevaporation module 230. The evaporation module 230 may be configured topass a heated heat transfer fluid through interior aspects of downstreamconduits 18 to heat a thin film of fluid flowing on outer surfaces ofthe downstream conduits 18. As shown in FIG. 24, the evaporation module230 may include a heat transfer medium supply system 20 formed from asupply manifold 40 coupled to the downstream conduits 18 and adownstream exhaust manifold 42. The evaporation module 230 may includefluid supply system 26 formed from one or more fluid containment vessels38 configured to supply fluid to an outer surface 14 of the flowdistribution head 16 and to the downstream conduits 18. The fluidcontainment vessel 38 may be configured to supply fluid to the outersurface 14 of the flow distribution head 16 in any number of ways. In atleast one embodiment, the fluid containment vessel 38 may include anoutlet 34 at each flow distribution head 16. The outlet 34 may enablefluid to fall, via gravity, from the fluid containment vessel 38 tocontact the outer surface 14 of the flow distribution head 16. The fluidstrikes the flow distribution head 16 and flows around the head 16 andonto the downstream conduit 18. In at least one embodiment, the outlet34 may be an annular outlet extending around the downstream conduit 18at the intersection between a wall defining the fluid containment vessel38 and the downstream conduit 18. The annular outlet 34 may or may nothave a constant radial width. The annular outlet 34 with a constantradial width helps create a uniform, thin film of fluid on the outersurface 14 of the flow distribution head 16. The evaporation module 230may include a fluid capture system 44 configured to collect fluidflowing down the outer surfaces 24 of the downstream conduits 18 andexhaust the fluid from an outlet 232. Gases, such as, but not limitedto, carbon dioxide, may be collected within the gas collection chamber22, formed, in part, by the shell 204, and may be exhausted through oneor more outlets 224.

For removal of carbon dioxide from flue gas, the liquid used within theliquid supply system 200 may be an amine solution, or other suitablesolution with high affinity for carbon dioxide. The amine solution mayflow along the outer surface 24 of the downstream conduits 18 from topto bottom due to gravity. The dirty gas used in the supply gas system210 may be flue gas containing carbon dioxide. The flue gas containingcarbon dioxide may flow in a counter direction relative to a directionof flow of the amine solution in the liquid supply system 200. As such,the flue gas containing carbon dioxide may flow from bottom to top. Inother embodiments, a co-current flow configuration may also be usedbased on process requirements. Due to the excellent thin film masstransfer characteristics, carbon dioxide gas is absorbed by the aminesolution, which has a high affinity for carbon dioxide. The aminesolution exits from the bottom of the system through outlet 208 in thecollection reservoir 206, and carbon dioxide free gas exits from theshell side of the gas collection chamber 222 through outlet 224. Theliquid exhausted from the outlet 208 may be amine rich solution, whichis amine including CO₂, may be fed to the evaporation module 230. Inparticular, the amine rich solution may be fed to the fluid supplysystem 26. In the fluid supply system 26 of the evaporation module 230,the amine rich solution can be heated by using a heat transfer fluidflowing through the downstream conduit 18 from top to bottom (co-currentflow), as shown in FIG. 24, or via bottom to top (counter current flow).As the amine rich solution gets heated flowing down along the downstreamconduit 18, clean carbon dioxide will leave the solution and will exitfrom the outlets 224 in the shell 204. Once removed from the evaporationmodule 230, the exiting clean carbon dioxide may be reacted withhydroxide solutions to form carbonates or bi-carbonates. In fact thecarbon dioxide can be reacted with any reacting fluid (gas or liquid) toform a useful product. This combination of absorption, desorption ofcarbon dioxide followed by reaction results in a compact and energyefficient carbon dioxide recovery and utilization method. The highsurface area density of the heat and mass transfer system 10 (in excessof 1000 m²/m³) results in compact and energy efficient modules for theabove-mentioned processes. The same concept can be used for a range ofgas-liquid mass transfer operation for example, and not be way oflimitation, stripping of methanol from water using steam or hot air.

In another application, as shown in FIG. 25, the heat and mass transfersystem 10 may be configured to operate as a solvent removal system 236.The heat and mass transfer system 10 may be configured to removesolvents from oil, such as, but not limited to, waste oil, water andother liquid feed. Solvents in the feed fluid may be evaporated in anevaporation chamber 246 of an evaporation module 238, which may be undervacuum. The feed fluid may form a concentrate that is exhausted from theevaporation module 238 and recirculated back into the evaporation module238 for reprocessing. This embodiment of the heat and mass transfersystem 10 may be capable of processing fluids with high concentrationsof total dissolved solids, such as, but not limited to, concentratedfeed fluids with high concentrations of total dissolved salts, producedwater and flow-back water generated during the fracking process. Inparticular, the configuration of the heat and mass transfer system 10minimizes the temperature gradient between the feed fluid flowing on theouter surface 24 of the downstream conduit 18 and the wall forming thedownstream conduit 18, thereby greatly reducing, if not eliminating, theability of scale to form. As a result, the heat and mass transfer system10 may effectively process produced water, flow-back water whereby theevaporation module can evaporate water and produce a concentrated slurryof salts, which may be further processed to produce salt crystals or maybe disposed in disposal wells. In addition, the shell side of thedownstream conduit 18 may be maintained in a vacuum, thereby furtherenhancing the ability to form vapor with concentrated feed fluids withhigh concentrations of total dissolved salts.

The solvent removal system 236 may include an evaporation module 238,which may be configured similarly to the evaporation module 230 shown inFIG. 24. The solvent removal system 236 may include a demister vessel240 and a condenser 242. The condenser 242 may be any appropriateconfiguration for transferring heat between two fluids while keeping thetwo fluids separated and out of contact of each other. The solventremoval system 236 may also include a knock-out pot 244 configured tocontain a liquid to remove solvent vapors from the gas being passedthrough the knock-out pot 244.

During the solvent removal process, the fluid feed containing a solventis introduced into the evaporation chamber 246 containing downstreamconduits 18 via an inlet at conduit 250. A heat transfer liquid, suchas, but not limited to, steam or Dowtherm heating fluid, from conduit252, may be used to heat the downstream conduits 18 and the evaporatingchamber 246 (also referred to as the shell side), via passing the fluidthrough internal aspects of the downstream conduit 18. The evaporatingchamber 246 may be maintained under vacuum in order to reduce theboiling point of the solvent within the feed fluid. As hot fluid ispassed through the downstream conduits 18 and feed fluid is positionedon the outer surface 14 of the flow distribution head 16 and the outersurface 24 of the downstream conduit 18, solvent vapor is created fromthe feed fluid and contained within the evaporation chamber 246. Steamcondensate is exhausted from the evaporation module into conduit 256.The solvent vapor may be exhausted from the evaporation chamber 246 intoconduit 254 and may be passed into the demister vessel 240, which willremove any carry over process liquid from the solvent vapor. Solventvapor is exhausted from the demister vessel 240 via conduit 262 into thecondenser 242. Entrained liquid is exhausted from the demister vessel240 into conduit 260. Solvent vapors are cooled in the condenser 242,such as through liquid cooling, to form condensed vapor in liquid form.The liquid solvent is exhausted from the condenser 242 via conduit 268.The coolant is supplied to the condenser 242 via conduit 264 andexhausted from the condenser 242 via conduit 266. The condensed vapor ispassed to the knock-out pot via conduit 268. The top section 274 of theknock-out pot 244 may be connected to a vacuum pump so that the entiresystem (the evaporation chamber 246, demister vessel 240, the condenser242 and the knock-out pot 244) may be maintained under a desired vacuumcondition via conduit 272. The condensed solvent vapors may then beremoved from the knock-out pot 244 via conduit 270.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 26-28, the heat and masstransfer system 10 may be configured to include a partitioned supplymanifold 40 of the heat transfer medium supply system 20. Thisconfiguration of the heat and mass transfer system 10 may allow a singleevaporation module to be operated as a Mechanical Vapor Compression(MVC) system. Steam from a boiler can start the evaporation process andas the vapors are generated, compressed, and fed into the vaporgeneration chamber 280, the system 10 an operate under MVC mode. Overallthermal efficiency of system 10 increases when the system 10 is operatedunder MVC mode because the latent heat from the vapor is re-used toevaporate new feed. The heat and mass transfer system 10 also has asignificantly smaller footprint than if two separate unit were to beused, thereby saving valuable floor space and also saving costs forduplicate components.

The partitioned supply manifold 40 may be formed from first and secondsupply manifolds 276, 278 separated by partition wall 283. As shown inFIG. 26, the heat and mass transfer system 10 may include a fluid supplysystem 26 including one or more fluid containment vessels 38 in fluidcommunication with one or more flow distribution heads 16 and one ormore downstream conduits 18. The interior aspects of the downstreamconduits 18 may be in fluid communication with the first or secondsupply manifolds 276, 278. A vapor generation chamber 280 may surroundat least a portion of the downstream conduits 18 and flow distributionheads 16 and be positioned beneath the fluid containment vessel 38 ofthe fluid supply system 26. During use, steam is supplied to the firstsupply manifolds 276 at inlet 282 and passed into interior aspects ofthe downstream conduits 18. Feed fluid may be passed into the fluidsupply system 26 and into the fluid containment vessel 38 at inlet 284.The feed fluid may be passed from the fluid containment vessel 38 ontothe outer surfaces 14 of the flow distribution heads 16 and the outersurfaces 24 of the downstream conduits 18 where a portion of the feedfluid evaporates, thereby forming a vapor within the vapor generationchamber 280. The vapor may be exhausted from the vapor generationchamber 280 via outlet 236 where the vapor may be passed through acompressor 288, which heats and increases the pressure of the vapor. Thepressurized vapor is then passed into the second supply manifolds 278 orthe first supply manifold 276, or both.

The heat and mass transfer system 10 shown in FIG. 27 is very similar tothe embodiment shown in FIG. 26 with the exception that the vaporgeneration chamber 280 is partitioned via partition wall 290 and anadditional recovery loop 292. This configuration of the heat and masstransfer system 10 may also allow a single evaporation module to beoperated as a Mechanical Vapor Compression (MVC) system. Thisconfiguration also enjoys the same advantages as previously set forth inconnection with FIG. 26. The remainder of the heat and mass transfersystem 10 shown in FIG. 27 is the same as that discussed in connectionwith FIG. 26 and thus will not be discussed for brevity sake. The vaporgeneration chamber 280 may be partitioned via partition wall 290 formingfirst and second vapor generation chambers 294, 296. A recovery loopconduit 292 may receive exhausted vapor from the first generationchamber 294 and pass the vapor to the exhaust vapor conduit 298extending from the outlet 286 in the second vapor generation chambers296 such that the exhaust vapor streams from both the first and secondvapor generation chambers 294, 296 may be compressed and heated andfurther passed back to the first or second supply manifolds 276, 278, orboth, for reprocessing.

The heat and mass transfer system 10 shown in FIG. 28 is very similar tothe embodiment shown in FIGS. 26 and 27 with the exception that thefluid containment vessel 38 of the fluid supply system 26 is partitionedvia partition wall 300 into first and second fluid containment vessels304, 306 and an additional concentrate recovery conduit 302. Thisconfiguration also enjoys the same advantages as previously set forth inconnection with FIGS. 26 and 27. In addition, This configuration shownin FIG. 28 allows the evaporation module to operate as a two-pass systemwhere the reject from the first pass can be used as a feed for thesecond pass. This will allow for achieving higher reject concentration.Instead of having two evaporators to perform a given thermal duty, onlyone evaporator may be used. The remainder of the heat and mass transfersystem 10 shown in FIG. 28 is the same as that discussed in connectionwith FIGS. 26 and 27 and thus will not be discussed for brevity sake.The fluid containment vessel 38 of the fluid supply system 26 ispartitioned via partition wall 300 into first and second fluidcontainment vessels 304, 306. A concentrate recovery conduit 302 mayreceive feed fluid at outlet 308 after having passed over the flowdistribution head 16 and the downstream conduit 18 and pass the recycledconcentrate to the second fluid containment vessel 306 such that therecovered feed fluid may be reprocessed

In at least one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 29-31, the heat and masstransfer system 10 may include a downstream conduit 18 including aninternal flow distributor 310 positioned within the downstream conduit18 and configured to increase the efficiency of the system by keepingthe heat transfer medium in contact with the wall forming the downstreamconduit 18 rather than in internal aspects of the downstream conduit 18.The internal flow distributor 310 may or may not be formed from a solidmaterial but may prevent fluid flow into the internal flow distributor310. In at least one embodiment, the internal flow distributor 310 maybe a hollow tube that is caped at each end. The internal flowdistributor 310 may be held in position via one or more struts 312. Thestruts may have a thin profile when viewed looking in the direction offluid flow in the downstream conduit 18, thereby blocking very littleflow through the downstream conduit 18. The internal flow distributor310 may block any amount of the space within the downstream conduit 18,and in at least one embodiment may block more than 50 percent of thecross-sectional area within the downstream conduit 18. The internal flowdistributor 310 may block up to about 90 percent of the cross-sectionalarea within the downstream conduit 18. The direction of flow of heattransfer medium within the downstream conduit 18 may be counter currentflow, as shown in FIG. 29 or co current flow, as shown in FIG. 30. Asshown in FIG. 31, the downstream conduit 18 may include a heat transferenhancement structure 314 positioned within the heat transfer mediumpathway 316 between the downstream conduit 18 and the internal flowdistributor 310 to increase heat transfer. In at least one embodiment,the heat transfer enhancement structure 314 may be a mesh. The mesh mayincrease turbulence, thereby increasing heat transfer. In addition, themesh may be a metal mesh, thereby increasing the surface area forconvection to occur.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 32, the heat and mass transfersystem 10 may include two or more flow distribution heads 16 anddownstream conduits 18 in series with one another. As such, a secondflow distribution head 318 may be positioned downstream of a first flowdistribution head 320 and a first downstream conduit 322, therebyforming interconnected distribution modules 324. The first and secondflow distribution heads 320, 318 may be formed as shown in FIGS. 19 and20. This configuration is particularly suitable for increasing the flowresidence time of the process fluid flowing from top to bottom. Theability to influence the residence time is essential for certaincatalytic processes where the liquid residence time has to be matchedwith the reaction kinetics, in order to complete the reaction in asingle flow pass. The heat and mass transfer system 10 of thisembodiment including two or more flow distribution heads 16 anddownstream conduits 18 in series with one another, has a significantlysmaller footprint than if two separate unit were to be used, therebysaving valuable floor space and also saving costs for duplicatecomponents.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 33, the heat and mass transfersystem 10 may be configured as an in-situ condensate recovery system330. The condensate recovery system 330 may include a fluid supplysystem 26 including one or more fluid containment vessels 38 in fluidcommunication with one or more flow distribution heads 16 and one ormore downstream conduits 18. The feed fluid may be captured in a fluidcapture system 44 positioned downstream from bottom ends of thedownstream conduits 18. The flow distribution heads 16 and downstreamconduits 18 may be housed within a coolant chamber 332 having a coolantinlet 334 and a coolant outlet 336. In at least one embodiment, the feedfluid passed to the fluid supply system 26 may be a vapor. The vapor maybe passed through the flow distribution heads 16 and downstream conduits18 where the vapor is cooled due to the counter flow current of coolantwithin the coolant chamber 332. The vapor may condense into a liquid andbe captured in the fluid capture system 44. The liquid condensate may beexhausted via conduit 338.

The heat and mass transfer system 10 may be configured to be used innumerous applications. For instance, the heat and mass transfer system10 may be configured to be used in at least one or more of the followingapplications, which are provided as examples and not for purposes oflimitation:

-   -   1. Heating and cooling of liquids including heat sensitive and        viscous liquids such as heavy oils, glycerin and maple syrup;    -   2. Evaporation of liquids including heat sensitive liquids such        as fruit juice, recovery of clean water from seawater and water        with high total dissolved solid content such as produced and        frac water in the oil and gas sector, concentration of liquids        including but not limited to chemically aggressive high specific        gravity liquids by evaporation of water, concentration of rinse        water and industrial waste water resulting from the production        of dyes and inks, concentration of leachate and treatment of        flood water and agriculture water;    -   3. Disinfection of liquids including, but not limited to, water        using ultra violet radiation, microwave energy, steam or any        other heat transfer fluid;    -   4. Synthesis of chemicals using microwave, ultra violet        radiation or a combination of both and particularly reactions        including but not limited to using ionic liquids or advanced        catalysts typically classified as green catalysts;    -   5. Coupling of the evaporator module with an energy efficient        steam compressor to develop a mechanical vapor compression        system, which may be operated in series or parallel mode;    -   6. Mass transfer using counter or co-current gas or steam        stripping for the removal of volatile organic compounds from        contaminated liquids;    -   7. Bio-treatment of industrial and landfill waste water;    -   8. Advanced oxidation process for the reduction of COD (Chemical        Oxygen Demand) and BOD (Biological Oxygen Demand) of wastewater        by using a combination of catalyst and Ultra violet radiation;    -   9. Removal of water organic liquids and vice versa using the        pervaporation configuration;    -   10. Catalytic liquid-liquid, gas-gas and gas-liquid reactions        using the described system;    -   11. Crystallization of solids including but not limited to        precipitation of salts from supersaturated organic or inorganic        liquids, such as precipitation of barium sulphate by rapid        heating or cooling using the described configuration; and    -   12. Concentration and recovery of clean water from radioactive        waste water.

The foregoing is provided for purposes of illustrating, explaining, anddescribing embodiments of this invention. Modifications and adaptationsto these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art andmay be made without departing from the scope or spirit of thisinvention.

I claim:
 1. A heat and mass transfer system, comprising: at least oneflow distribution head having a nonlinear outer surface; at least onedownstream conduit extending downstream from the at least one flowdistribution head, wherein the at least one downstream conduit has anouter surface with a width that is narrower than a widest widthmeasurement of the at least one flow distribution head; at least onefluid supply system configured to release a liquid film onto thenonlinear outer surface such that the liquid film flows on the nonlinearouter surface of the at least one flow distribution head and onto the atleast one downstream conduit; at least one heat transfer medium supplysystem in fluid communication with the at least one downstream conduitsuch that at least one heat transfer medium is delivered to the at leastone downstream conduit while the liquid film flows on the outer surfaceof the at least one downstream conduit; and a condensation captureconduit positioned within the at least one downstream conduit extendingdownstream from the at least one flow distribution head, whereby a heattransfer medium flows between an outer surface of the condensationcapture conduit and an inner surface of the at least one downstreamconduit extending downstream from the flow distribution head.
 2. Theheat and mass transfer system of claim 1, wherein the at least one flowdistribution head has an at least partially spherical outer surface. 3.The heat and mass transfer system of claim 1, wherein the condensationcapture conduit is caped at each end.
 4. The heat and mass transfersystem of claim 1, wherein a direction of flow of heat transfer mediumbetween the at least one downstream conduit and the condensation captureconduit is counter current flow to a flow of fluid on the at least oneflow distribution head and the at least one downstream conduit.
 5. Theheat and mass transfer system of claim 1, wherein a direction of flow ofheat transfer medium between the at least one downstream conduit and thecondensation capture conduit is co current flow to a flow of fluid onthe at least one flow distribution head and the at least one downstreamconduit.
 6. The heat and mass transfer system of claim 1, furthercomprising a heat transfer enhancement structure positioned in a heattransfer medium pathway between the at least one downstream conduit andthe condensation capture conduit.
 7. The heat and mass transfer systemof claim 6, wherein the heat transfer enhancement structure is a meshfor increasing turbulence, thereby increasing heat transfer.
 8. The heatand mass transfer system of claim 7, wherein the heat transferenhancement structure is a metal mesh for increasing turbulence, therebyincreasing heat transfer.
 9. The heat and mass transfer system of claim1, wherein the condensation capture conduit is held in position via atleast one strut.
 10. The heat and mass transfer system of claim 1,wherein the heat transfer medium is steam.
 11. A heat and mass transfersystem, comprising: at least one flow distribution head having anonlinear outer surface; at least one downstream conduit extendingdownstream from the at least one flow distribution head, wherein the atleast one downstream conduit has an outer surface with a width that isnarrower than a widest width measurement of the at least one flowdistribution head; at least one fluid supply system configured torelease a liquid film onto the nonlinear outer surface such that theliquid film flows on the nonlinear outer surface of the at least oneflow distribution head and onto the at least one downstream conduit; atleast one heat transfer medium supply system in fluid communication withthe at least one downstream conduit such that at least one heat transfermedium is delivered to the at least one downstream conduit while theliquid film flows on the outer surface of the at least one downstreamconduit; and an exhaust manifold in communication with the at least onedownstream conduit extending downstream from the at least one flowdistribution head.
 12. The heat and mass transfer system of claim 11,wherein the at least one flow distribution head has an at leastpartially spherical outer surface.
 13. The heat and mass transfer systemof claim 11, further comprising a supply manifold in communication aconduit extending to the at least one flow distribution head.
 14. Theheat and mass transfer system of claim 11, further comprising a fluidcapture system configured to capture used liquid film after the liquidfilm has flowed over the at least one flow distribution head and thedownstream conduit extending downstream from the at least one flowdistribution head.
 15. The heat and mass transfer system of claim 1,wherein the at least one heat transfer medium supply system includes atleast one conduit extending into the at least one flow distribution headhaving the nonlinear outer surface.
 16. The heat and mass transfersystem of claim 15, wherein the at least one conduit of the at least oneheat transfer medium supply system extends into the at least one flowdistribution head having an at least partially spherical outer surfaceat a top of the at least one flow distribution head.
 17. The heat andmass transfer system of claim 15, wherein the fluid supply systemincludes at least one fluid containment surface having an annular shapedoutlet defined in part by the at least one conduit of the at least oneheat transfer medium supply system extending through the outlet.
 18. Theheat and mass transfer system of claim 17, wherein an outer diameter ofthe annular shaped outlet is less than the widest width measurement ofthe at least one flow distribution head.
 19. A heat and mass transfersystem, comprising: a first evaporator unit, comprising: at least oneflow distribution head having a nonlinear outer surface; at least onedownstream conduit extending downstream from the at least one flowdistribution head, wherein the at least one downstream conduit has anouter surface with a width that is narrower than a widest widthmeasurement of the at least one flow distribution head; at least onefluid supply system configured to release a liquid film onto thenonlinear outer surface such that the liquid film flows on the nonlinearouter surface of the at least one flow distribution head and onto the atleast one downstream conduit; and at least one heat transfer mediumsupply system in fluid communication with the at least one downstreamconduit such that at least one heat transfer medium is delivered to theat least one downstream conduit while the liquid film flows on the outersurface of the at least one downstream conduit; a second evaporatorunit, comprising: at least one flow distribution head having a nonlinearouter surface; at least one downstream conduit extending downstream fromthe at least one flow distribution head, wherein the at least onedownstream conduit has an outer surface with a width that is narrowerthan a widest width measurement of the at least one flow distributionhead; at least one fluid supply system configured to release a liquidfilm onto the nonlinear outer surface such that the liquid film flows onthe nonlinear outer surface of the at least one flow distribution headand onto the at least one downstream conduit; and at least one heattransfer medium supply system in fluid communication with the at leastone downstream conduit such that at least one heat transfer medium isdelivered to the at least one downstream conduit while the liquid filmflows on the outer surface of the at least one downstream conduit;wherein the second evaporator unit operates at a lower pressure than thefirst evaporator unit.
 20. A heat and mass transfer system, comprising:at least one flow distribution head having a nonlinear outer surface; atleast one downstream conduit extending downstream from the at least oneflow distribution head, wherein the at least one downstream conduit hasan outer surface with a width that is narrower than a widest widthmeasurement of the at least one flow distribution head; at least onefluid supply system configured to release a liquid film onto thenonlinear outer surface such that the liquid film flows on the nonlinearouter surface of the at least one flow distribution head and onto the atleast one downstream conduit; at least one heat transfer medium supplysystem in fluid communication with the at least one downstream conduitsuch that at least one heat transfer medium is delivered to the at leastone downstream conduit while the liquid film flows on the outer surfaceof the at least one downstream conduit; and wherein the at least oneheat transfer medium supply system is formed from at least one heattransfer medium supply conduit that extends around the at least onefluid supply conduit and inside of the at least one downstream conduit,whereby the at least one heat transfer medium supply conduit terminatesshort of a wall forming the supply fluid pool to form an outlet betweena first outward bound leg of the at least one heat transfer mediumsupply system and a second inward bound leg of the at least one heattransfer medium supply system.